We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Elyse Compton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor Elyse, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I find business to be just as creative, as designing a piece of art. Although it can take much longer, you basically do the same steps. You start off fantasizing about what you want to create, you research how to make it possible, then you gather your resources, and get to work! By the end of all of that you should have something pretty awesome to enjoy and share with the world. Starting a Tattoo Studio was no different. Once I had the idea that it was something I wanted to do, the moment I started to daydream about it, the ball never stopped rolling. I believe in business you need to follow your intuition, work really hard, and be willing to get pushed out of your comfort zone. Entrepreneurs don’t give up. We are crazy people who do whatever it takes to develop our visions. You can’t be intimidated when faced with something you don’t know. You have to learn it, to earn it. Don’t let obstacles prevent you from achieving your goals.  The way business is traditionally done can be really intimidating. I think that’s the hard part for most creatives when it comes to starting their own business. I mean, the time put into writing an expense sheet, paying employees, or deal with the bureaucracy of government compliances, is enough to send people right back to a 9-5.

Listen, I did not know the first thing about starting a business. I just had the vision, and I worked hard to make my vision a reality! I worked part-time jobs. I read about business and money management. Looking into what it took to become a license tattoo studio. Read contracts, emails, and took test! I hate taking test. All while drawing and learning more about tattooing. One lesson, one goal after the other, you just keep going until your dreams met!

I also believe that passion and integrity are the foundation to anything good. If you lead with those values you will be successful in life and business.  I’m very very lucky that tattooing found me, and that it’s something I continue to have passion for. It’s given me such a sense or purpose. It allows me to connect with people on a deeper level than I ever imagined. I’m living my dream.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The idea of my “Art” is kind of a hard one to wrap my head around because I don’t think about the image alone. When I think about my art as a tattoo artist, I think about the entire experience for myself and my clients. I feel like my clients come to me for a unique experience. When you come to me we are often customizing an original piece of artwork made special for you. On top of that you are getting a handpicked it’s connected to a very rich traditional way of tattooing that is slow and intentional. All staged in the amount a unique, inviting, environment, meant to be memorable and relaxing. As an empath, I love to connect with each and every client. It’s truly the most fulfilling part of my job. I couldn’t survive as a studio artist. I did that for a while and something about it always felt empty to me. I like to feel like I am in service to my community. My clients are part of that community. Right now I am really excited about the work I have been doing with my clients. Since Covid, I have been taking fewer appointments and because of that I’ve been more vocal about work that resonates with me. Taking this approach has resulted in me producing some of my favorite work yet. It’s created this space for my clients and I to collaborate and both be passionate about the image we are producing. I’m lucky that all of my clients have been super understanding and respected this shift. It’s helped me get rid of a lot of the anxiety I used to have to perform, and please everyone. This shift has left me more confident in my work, and it’s allowed me to be a better artist and tattooer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Mostly when I have friends come to town I just take them to the Joshua Tree National Park and we spend time enjoying the slow lifestyle of the desert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a lot of my accomplishments to my parents. My parents have helped and supported my dreams, no matter how unconventional they were. They always trusted that I would figure it out, and that I could take care of myself. My mom even helped me paint and decorate both studios, which was so incredibly helpful and something I’m glad I get to remember for the rest of my life. One of the best things that happened to me since owning my tattoo business is the community and friends I’ve been able to collect over this time. Welcoming clients, employees, and guest artist studio allowed me to make long lasting connections. I owe all of them a debt of gratitude because they shape me, uplift me, and support me by believing in me and my vision as an artist. I have to give my girl, Gabriella Evaro, some love. She is my friend and colleague at the studio. She has done so much work for me, from coming in and cleaning on her days off, to holding my hand when I’m feeling completely overwhelmed. She has tough me a lot about giving, kindness, and loyalty. So you everyone look her up! Her tattoos are as beautiful as she is! Lastly I gotta give my partner, Zach Jackson, a shout out. He’s been an inspiration for me the past 11 year. He was the first person I knew to quit a day job to pursue his life’s passion, painting. When I was younger part of me thought this was kind of a crazy move, but as an adult I have such respect for his intuition and guts for going after a life he knew he wanted. It’s a risk not a lot of people are willing to take. He’s taught me that believing in yourself and being passionate about what you do is the most valuable thing in this life.

Website: lovealwaystattoo.com

Instagram: @lovetaylorelyse

Image Credits
Photographer: Jessica Castro

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.